By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI

abartolomucci@vindy.com

STRUTHERS

Trailing by a point in the fourth quarter, Nick Adams scored a touchdown off an 80-yard run to give Struthers the boost to win its home opener.

The Wildcats defeated Crestview 16-9 at Laddie J. Fedor Field. Both teams came into Friday’s game 1-0 and the Wildcats were looking to earn another win in front of their home crowd.

“We faced a lot of adversity and we’ve been talking about it all summer long. Getting over it and making sure we did our jobs — and we did that,” Adams said. “It felt really good to win at home.”

Adams rushed for 90 yards. He gave credit to his blockers and how they contributed to his performance. Adams said the blockers did what they were supposed to and set him up to make that final touchdown.

Both teams had a hard time getting the ball across the end zone or between the field goal posts which resulted in a scoreless first half.

IT was a physical game and the Wildcats and Rebels knew had to cut back on the penalties.

“I think the fact that we were able to match up physically with them — a big, strong team like that — and play at that level I think that’s important,” Crestview head coach Paul Cusick said.

In the third quarter, there were three turnovers in three consecutive plays. This is the first time Struthers turned a football over in 12 games.

Andrew Yanssens made a 36-yard field goal in the third quarter putting the Rebels on the board first.

Struthers gathered momentum and Willie Mitchell ran the ball 37 yards and to put the Wildcats inside the 10 yard line.

Mitchell rushed eight yards and scored a touchdown putting the Wildcats in the lead. Instead of kicking, Mitchell ran for the conversion points and an 8-3 lead.

“We came out knowing it was going to be a fight, we knew it was going to be a battle to the end. We knew anything could happen,” Mitchell said. “I thank my lines so much.”

Scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Yanssens gave Crestview the lead 9-8. The Rebels failed on its two-point conversion try.

Less than two minutes later, Adams made his 80-yard run for the winning points. Tyrese Hawkins added the conversion points.

“Wins are hard to come by, they all feel good,” Struthers coach Curt Kuntz said. “Hopefully this win goes more than just a W tonight, it should pay dividends down the road.”

Both coaches found positives. Kuntz sees good things for the future of the team. Cusick said he was proud that his team showed heart and fought hard against a playoff-caliber team.